The following piece was first written for the September 20, 2026 pew sheet at St Augustine’s Anglican Church. I share it here again in the hope that it may continue to encourage and bless.
One of the wonderful things about the Christian gospel is that God's saving purposes have never been limited to one nation, culture or ethnic group. From the beginning, God's purpose has been to bless all peoples. When God called Abraham, he promised that through him 'all peoples on earth will be blessed' (Gen 12:3). Jesus likewise sent his disciples to 'make disciples of all nations' (Matt 28:19). This vision reaches its fulfilment in Revelation, where John sees 'a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb' (Rev 7:9). The Church is therefore, by its very nature, a multiethnic people. God is creating one people from every nation and culture, united by our common Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. This has something important to say to us amid current debates about multiculturalism and monoculturalism. As Christians, we do not need to choose between cultural diversity and belonging together. Nor does being a multicultural church mean that cultural differences do not matter, or that we have no shared identity. Our unity is found in Christ. We can value different languages, cultures and traditions while sharing a common faith and a common life together as God's people. This is already part of the reality of St Augustine's – we are a multiethnic church. I believe we should embrace this gift and seek to become increasingly a church where people from every cultural and ethnic background can find a genuine home in Christ. This should also shape our approach to mission. We are called not simply to welcome people who are different from us, but to go towards them with the good news of Jesus. This requires humility, a willingness to listen and learn, genuine relationships and generous hospitality. It means crossing cultural and linguistic boundaries because Christ's gospel is for all people. Our vision, therefore, is not simply to be a church with people from different cultures, but a church that reflects God's heart for all peoples – one people in Christ, enriched by our diversity, uniting in faith, and committed to welcoming, serving and proclaiming Christ to everyone God brings across our path.
Let us pray:
Gracious God, you created all people in your image and call people from every nation, tribe, people and language to worship and serve you. Unite us in Christ as one body, while helping us to encourage, value and receive the gifts of the different cultures and backgrounds among us. By your Holy Spirit, enable us to grow together in love, understanding and faith, and make St Augustine's a welcoming church where people of every culture can encounter Christ and share in his mission; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Photo: Leah Maxwell / Happier, "The calming power of 'sorry stones.'" Used with acknowledgment.
